Short Summary

SEVEN WEEKS AFTER THE FLOODS, FLORENCE IS STILL HARD AT IT, CLEARING UP THE MUD AND THE DAMAGE.

Description

SEVEN WEEKS AFTER THE FLOODS, FLORENCE IS STILL HARD AT IT, CLEARING UP THE MUD AND THE DAMAGE. DEBRIS AND THE SKELETONS OF CARS LITTER THE STREETS, CRACKED AND WARPED DOORS CONCEAL EMPTY HOMES.

ONE OF THE WORST HIT AREAS IS THE WORKING CLASS SUBURB, GAVINANA, WHERE THE HIGH WATER MARK LEFT BY THE FLOODS ROSE TO 16 FEET (FIVE METRES) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

NOW MUCH OF THE MUD, OIL AND DEBRIS HAS BEEN CLEARED UP AND THE SHOPS ARE REOPENING. THE RENAISSANCE CATHEDRAL IS OPEN AGAIN AND VISITORS CAN ALSO SEE THE BASILICA OF SANTA CROCE WHERE THE FLOODS STAINED THE FRESCOES AND DAMAGED OTHER CHURCH TREASURES BEYOND REPAIR.

NEARLY 14,000 FAMILIES SUFFERED LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY DURING THE FLOODS.